Deputy on foot patrol nets marijuana arrest

A deputy on foot patrol in the Marathon area Saturday smelled the odor of marijuana. Following his nose, he wound up arresting a local man and seizing 121 grams of the illegal substance.

Deputy Michael Sielicki was in the area of 6200 Overseas Highway in the vicinity of several apartments shortly after noon. He followed the smell of marijuana to a wooded area behind one of them. He found a green BMW parked there and, in a clearing nearby he found a table and chairs. He also found a plastic bag with marijuana inside.

Further investigation revealed a digital scale, several empty plastic bags, a grinder with marijuana residue in it. Sgt. Ken Fricke responded to assist. He knocked on the door of the nearest apartment and Michael Vandelinder answered the door. It was determined, after speaking with Vandelinder, that the marijuana and the items of drug paraphernalia belonged to him. He told Deputy Sielicki he got the illegal substance in Miami and was intending to sell it.

Vandelinder was arrested. He was charged with possession of a felony amount of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.